Artik is the feature film debut for writer/director Tom Botchii, and he’s not messing around. From the brutal, intense ambiance to the throttling score and powerful cinematography, this film looks like it’s going to go hard.

The story centers around a family-run sunflower farm, where comic-book obsessed serial killer Artik (Jerry G. Angelo), his life partner Flin (Lauren Ashley Carter), and their family of foster kids are on the hunt for the ultimate comic-book hero. Until Holton (Chase Williamson), an Al-Anon attending straight edge, punk purist, comes between them.

The cast is stacked with indie horror favorites Chase Williamson (SiREN, John Dies at the End, The Guest), Lauren Ashley Carter (Jug Face, Darling, The Women), and Matt Mercer (Contracted, Contracted: Phase II, Beyond the Gates), with Gavin White (14 Cameras) and what looks to be an intense and promising performance from Jerry G. Angelo (Warfighter).

Much in the way that the city of New York is “a character” in just about every show/film in which it’s featured, there’s another character in Artik that has a strong presence, though you won’t see it on the cast list; the homemade, ergonomically challenged torture chair.

Cobbled together from salvaged tractor parts and farm equipment, this thing is a beast. I made an appointment with my chiropractor after just looking at it.

Kelly lives in Canada with her large, fuzzy dog and a collection of horror movies, which she is a little obsessed with. Check out her Creepy Crafter videos or follow her on IG and Twitter @kellsmcnells